Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Round II

Hi there, A recap of my week in progress...Monday had my glucose test for the baby boy and it came back okay! It's great news that I can still eat what I want, god knows that helps with my sanity these days and it's definitely showing. Tuesday had my second PICC line "installed" and to my delight, it went perfectly smooth. I had the line put in with the radiology unit this time and the doctor had the line put in within minutes! Much better than the 2 hour struggle that I had faced the time before. Makes for less anxiety knowing I'll need two more in the coming weeks. After spending the morning with my mom at the hospital, I met my two girlfriends (should really just start calling them my life support) and shaved my head. Thank you Kelli and Amy for your constant support...being able to find humor in what could have been a devestating task is priceless and I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. :0) Having a shaved head is not pretty, GI Jane comes to mind, but according to Kelli I have a nicely shaped head. HILARIOUS! Who would have thought that would be something to brag about. I will say, it feels pretty good. I feel like I have menthol on my head at all times. My dad always fights with my mom to shave his head (she likes him with hair) but now I get it...it really feels nice. This last week has been all about the hair so hopefully we won't be discussing this topic much in the future. I just don't want to forget this experience because I think I'll be proud of myself one day for being able to do it, because trust me I never thought I would or could. But after 3 days of crying in the shower because the hair would not stop falling out in crazy clumps (it was everywhere and wouldn't stop coming out, yet I still had tons to go) I just felt like I was making the situation more difficult on myself. Plus I was shedding everywhere and if you have pets, you know how annoying that is! The natural progression prepared me to just want to get rid of it. I'm glad I did. It was a burdon lifted after doing so. But don't worry peeps, you won't be seeing much of me and my bald head, I'm still very much a hair girl and rocked my new wig today during my second chemo treatment. It's definitely an adjustment, but one I'll get used to QUICKLY. My treatment today also went better than expected. My mom was with me to help pass the time. We are a pretty good team when it comes to distracting ourselves and pretending we aren't in a place where we don't want to be. Instead we focus on what's really important, like what's happening with the Real Housewives of Atlanta and Orange County (insert sarcasim). She showed me the YouTube clip of Kristen Bell and the Sloth...it's hysterical and worth checking out. On a serious note, we met a woman at the chemo clinic today who was extremely excited to announce it was her birthday (over and over again). She made sure everyone in the place knew it. Once I had a chance to talk with her, she explained that she has been receiving chemo treatments for the last 3 years and shouldn't be having this 35th birthday. I'd be celebrating with such enthusiasm if I were her too. What's funny is she got upset after learning of my situation. It's so interesting to me that when you join this "cancer cult", as I've been calling it, you learn to take yourself out of the equation and empathize with everyone else. I think that's the healthiest way to be anyhow, but to see others in a similar situation do the same is neat...strange, but neat. Although every situation is completely different, there's a strange sense of understanding that resides with these strangers...we know the true meaning of adversity...well I'm in the process of learning, but you become a gang in a sense. I believe not only I am apart of this new gang, but my family and friends are also initiated members...we are all very much a part of this and I am soooooooo happy, relieved and thankful for my support system. Each new day, I'm speechless with the amount of support I'm given without a blink of an eye. I have no idea how I'll ever truly repay each of you, but I promise I'll never, ever forget what you've done for me. Peace & Love, Misty

5 comments:

  1. You are AMAZING!!! Such a positive to hear that things went smoother this go-round :) There is not a day that goes by without thinking of you and how wonderfully strong you are knowing how hard this is. You are a such a beautiful person inside and out. Sending love and prayers your way!!

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  2. I thank God for the radiation unit for making that PICC line as easy as possible!!!! Love you my dear friend!

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  3. Hi, Misty. I'm an old friend of your Aunt Chris' and I lived just around the corner while we were growing up. My mom and your grandma were also friends. I am so enjoying reading your blog posts. Your perspective on all that's happening shows wisdom and strength beyond your years. I was diagnosed when I was 40 - that was over nine years ago.

    You will be so happy later on that you blogged about your journey. I started scrapbooking three weeks after my surgery and have captured pretty much everything you could imagine. Looking back on my own words after all this time is oddly comforting.

    About the bald thing... you will find that people are MUCH nicer to bald-headed women. ;) It sounds like you have a powerful support system. I'm so glad to hear it.

    If I may recommend a book that made me laugh and cry all the way through it, I suggest reading "I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy." It is by Geralyn Lucas. She worked for Barbara Walters before she got sick and then she moved over to Lifetime so she could focus on women's issues. Oh, and she had a baby after her mastectomy and chemo.

    Keep your chin up! I'm in CA now, but if there is anything I can send you or if you want to chat, let me know. I'm a good listener. :)

    Take good care.
    Karen Costello-Buck

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  4. Hello there cousin. I was recently informed by your dad about how things were going for you. You are in my prayers and I feel that God is going to move in a mighty way on your behalf. At least for now Chris and I have another Gillum that has their head shaved :-) I will definitely keep an eye on how you are doing through this link. I wish you the best but stay committed to Jesus Christ and he shall see you through this. I will definitely be keeping in touch.

    Love ya cous
    -John Gillum

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Hi Friends, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I read each and every one of them and they mean so much to me. Have a fabulous day!! XO, Misty